Bi-directional driving circuit of liquid crystal display panel

ABSTRACT

A bi-directional driving circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel is disclosed, in which forward scanning and backward scanning are available. In a bi-directional driving circuit of an LCD panel having a plurality of blocks, each block includes a first start pulse input terminal to which a start pulse or an output signal of a previous block is input and a second start pulse input terminal to which the start pulse or an output signal of a next block is input. Also, each block includes a first switching portion switching a start pulse signal applied to an input terminal of a first block among the blocks and switching an output signal of a previous block, which is applied to input terminals of the other blocks and a second switching portion switching a start pulse signal applied to an input terminal of the last block and switching an output signal of a previous block, which is applied to input terminals of the other blocks.

This application is a Divisional of prior application Ser. No.10/082,125, filed Feb. 26, 2002, now allowed, which claims the benefitof Korean Patent Application No. 9965/2001 filed in Korea on Feb. 27,2001, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bi-directional driving circuit of aliquid crystal display (LCD) panel, particularly, to a bi-directionaldriving circuit of an LCD panel that enables bi-directional driving.

2. Background of the Related Art

A typical LCD device includes a driving circuit in an LCD panel, such asa gate driving integrated circuit (IC) and a data driving IC. Also, theLCD device has a fixed driving direction. However, system makerssometimes require various panel configurations.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating a typical polysilicon thin filmtransistor (TFT) LCD panel.

Referring to FIG. 1, the polysilicon TFT LCD panel includes a pixelarray having a plurality of gate lines Gi to Gm arranged to cross aplurality of data lines D1 to Dn, a plurality of first shift registers11 and buffers 12 for supplying scan signals to each gate line. Aplurality of second shift registers 13 and buffers 14 are respectivelylocated in each block of k blocks 2 divided from each data line. The LCDpanel also includes a plurality of signal lines S1 to Sn fortransmitting video signals output from a digital-to-analog converter(not shown) of a data driving circuit (not shown) to each data line, anda plurality of switching elements 16 for sequentially applying videosignals of the signal lines S1 to Sn to the data lines per each block bydriving signals output from the second shift registers 13 and buffers14.

In the driving circuit of the polysilicon LCD panel unlike aconventional amorphous silicon circuit, to reduce the number of contactlines between an external circuit and a panel, the data lines aredivided into m blocks while the gate lines are selected, so that adisplay voltage is sequentially supplied to the data lines. Therefore,the gate lines and the data lines are sequentially driven by the shiftregisters to display picture images. In this case, since the shiftregisters implement shifting only in a fixed direction, the degree offreedom in a driving direction required by system makers cannot beprovided.

A shift register of the related art LCD panel will be described withreference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a shift register of the related art LCDpanel.

A gate pulse or data start pulse (VST), four clock signals CLK1, CLK2,CLK3, and CLK4 having different phases, a power source voltage Vdd and aground voltage Vss are input to an input terminal of the shift register.

The circuit structure of the shift register includes eight blocks havinga similar structure except for a portion where a clock signal isapplied.

The first block includes a first p-MOS transistor TFT1 having a sourceand a gate to which the start pulse VST is applied. Also, a second p-MOStransistor TFT2 having a source is connected to a drain of the firstp-MOS transistor TFT1 and a gate to which the fourth clock signal CLK4is applied. The third p-MOS transistor TFT3 has a source connected to adrain of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 and a drain connected to theVss terminal. The fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 has a source connected tothe Vdd terminal, a gate connected to the third clock signal CLK3, and asource connected to the drain of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4. Thesixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 has a source connected to the first clocksignal CLK1, a gate connected to the drain of the second p-MOStransistor TFT2, and a drain connected to the output terminal. Theseventh p-MOS transistor TFT7 has a source connected to the outputterminal, a gate connected to the drain of the fourth p-MOS transistorTFT4, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal.

A contact node between the drain of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 andthe source of the third p-MOS transistor TFT3 is grounded through acapacitor C1. The gate of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is connectedto the Vss terminal through a second capacitor C2. The gate and thedrain of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 are connected with each otherthrough a third capacitor C3. The gate of the seventh p-MOS transistorTFT7 is connected to the Vss terminal through a fourth capacitor C4.

The respective first to eighth blocks are different in that differentclock signals are applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistorTFT6, the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4, and the gate of thesecond p-MOS transistor TFT2. Also, to the source and the gate of thefirst p-MOS transistor TFT1 an output terminal of a previous block isconnected.

The clock signals from the first block to the eighth block are connectedas follows.

The clock signals applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistorTFT6 are connected as follows.

The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOStransistor TFT6 in the first and the fifth block. The second clocksignal CLK2 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6in the second block and the sixth block. The third clock signal CLK3 isapplied to the source of TFT6 in the third block and the seventh block.The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to the source of TFT6 in thefourth block and the eighth block.

In blocks one through eight, different clock signals are applied to thegate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 and are connected as follows.

In the first and fifth blocks, the third clock signal CLK3 is applied tothe gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4. In the second and sixthblock, the fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to the gate of the fourthp-MOS transistor TFT4. In the third and seventh blocks, the first clocksignal CLK1 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4.In the fourth and eight blocks, the second clock signal CLK2 is appliedto the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4.

In blocks one through eight, different clock signals are applied to thegate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 and are connected as follows.

In the first and fifth blocks, the fourth clock signal CLK4 is appliedto the gate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2. In the second and sixthblocks, the first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the gate of the secondp-MOS transistor TFT2. In the third and seventh blocks, the second clocksignal CLK2 is applied to the gate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2.In the fourth and eight blocks, the third clock signal CLK3 is appliedto the gate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2.

The operation of the aforementioned level shifter of the related art LCDpanel will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates input and output waveforms of the shift register ofthe related art LCD panel.

First, the operation of the first block will be described.

The first p-MOS transistor TFT1 is turned on when a low level startpulse VST is input in a switch-on state. At this time, since the fourthclock signal CLK4 is input in a switch on state, the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 is also turned on. Accordingly, the node Q becomes lowlevel in a switch on state. This turns on the sixth p-MOS transistorTFT6. As a result, the first clock signal CLK1 is output to the outputterminal. In addition, because node QB is high in a switch off state,the seventh p-MOS transistor TFT7 is turned off. As a result, the groundvoltage Vss is not applied to the output terminal.

Likewise, in the second block, the output of the first block is low andthe first clock signal is low. As a result, the second clock signal CLK2applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS which was turned on by the Qnode and as a result is output through the sixth transistor TFT6.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outputs are sequentially generated from thefirst block to the eighth block.

However, the related art LCD panel having the driving circuit hasseveral problems.

For example, problems arise in that picture images can be scanned onlyin an originally designed direction. In other words, the output fails tobe generated in the order of the last block to the first block. In thiscase, it is difficult to freely set a direction of the LCD panel, forexample, a landscape or portrait type orientation. Because the systemmanufacturers who make the products that have LCD panels want a displaydevice capable of scanning images in more than one direction, this is aserious limitation of the related art LCD panels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bi-directional driving circuit ofa liquid crystal display (LCD) panel that substantially obviates one ormore problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An advantage of the present invention is to provide a bi-directionaldriving circuit of an LCD panel in which forward scanning and backwardscanning are available without requiring a separate input pad.

Additional advantages, features of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and in part will become apparentto those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned from practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized andattained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, in abi-directional driving circuit of an LCD panel having a plurality ofblocks, each block includes a first start pulse input terminal to whicha start pulse or an output signal of a previous block is input; and asecond start pulse input terminal to which the start pulse or an outputsignal of a next block is input.

To further achieve these and other advantages, in a bi-directionaldriving circuit of an LCD panel having a plurality of blocks, each blockoutputting a signal, the bi-directional driving circuit includes a firstswitching portion for switching a start pulse signal applied to an inputterminal of a first block among the blocks, and for switching an outputsignal of a previous block, which is applied to input terminals of theother blocks; and a second switching portion for switching a start pulsesignal applied to an input terminal of the last block, and for switchingan output signal of a previous block, which is applied to inputterminals of the other blocks.

To further achieve these objects and other advantages, in abi-directional driving circuit of an LCD panel having a plurality ofblocks, each block includes a first switching element having a sourceand a gate to which a start pulse is applied; a second switching elementhaving a source connected to a drain of the first switching element anda gate to which a first clock signal is applied; a third switchingelement having a source connected to a drain of the second switchingelement and a drain connected to a ground terminal Vss; a fourthswitching element having a source connected to a power source voltageterminal Vdd, a gate connected to a second clock signal, and a drainconnected to a gate of the third switching element; a fifth switchingelement having a source connected to the drain of the fourth switchingelement, a gate connected to the drain of the first switching element,and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; a sixth switching elementhaving a source connected to the second clock signal, a gate connectedto the drain of the second switching element, and a drain connected toan output terminal; a seventh switching element having a sourceconnected to the output terminal, a gate connected to the drain of thefourth switching element, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; aneighth switching element having a source and a gate connected to anoutput terminal of a next block and a drain connected to the drain ofthe first switching element; and a ninth switching element connected tothe second switching element in parallel, having a gate connected to thesecond clock signal.

Each block further possibly includes a first capacitor connected betweena contact node between the drain of the second switching element and thesource of the third switching element and the ground terminal; a secondcapacitor connected between the gate of the sixth switching element andthe Vss terminal; a third capacitor connected between the gate of thesixth switching element and its drain; and a fourth capacitor connectedbetween the gate of the seventh switching element and the Vss terminal.

The blocks possibly include first to eighth blocks, wherein the firstclock signal is applied to the source of the sixth switching element inthe first and fifth blocks; the second clock signal in the second andsixth blocks; a third clock signal in the third and seventh blocks; anda fourth clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks. The third clocksignal is applied to the gate of the fourth switching element in thefirst and fifth blocks; the fourth clock signal in the second and sixthblocks; the first clock signal in the third and seventh blocks; and thesecond clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks. The fourth clocksignal is applied to the gate of the second switching element in thefirst and fifth blocks; the first clock signal in the second and sixthblocks; the second clock signal in the third and seventh blocks; and thethird clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks. The second clocksignal is applied to the gate of the ninth switching element in thefirst and fifth blocks; the third clock signal in the second and sixthblocks; the fourth clock signal in the third and seventh blocks; and thefirst clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks.

An output signal of a previous block is possibly applied to the gate andthe source of the first switching element as a start pulse signal in theother blocks, except for the first block, and the start pulse signal isapplied to the eighth switching element of the last block.

The gate of the fifth switching element is possibly connected to thedrain terminal of the second switching element or the ninth switchingelement.

Each block further possibly includes a tenth switching element connectedbetween the first switching element and the second switching element,for being switched depending on a gate voltage of the second switchingelement; and an eleventh switching element connected between the eighthswitching element and the second switching element, for being switcheddepending on a gate voltage of the ninth switching element.

Each block further possibly includes first and second capacitorsrespectively connected between contact nodes and the ground terminal,the contact nodes being arranged between the first and tenth switchingelements and between the tenth and second switching elements; a thirdcapacitor connected between a contact node arranged between the eightand eleventh switching elements and the ground terminal; a fourthcapacitor connected between the gate of the sixth switching element andthe Vss terminal; a fifth capacitor connected between the gate and thedrain of the sixth switching element; and a sixth capacitor connectedbetween the gate of the seventh switching element and the Vss terminal.

The respective switching elements possibly are p-MOS transistors.

To further achieve these and other advantages, in a bi-directionaldriving circuit of an LCD panel having a plurality of blocks, each blockincludes a first switching element having a source and a gate to which astart pulse is applied; a third switching element having a sourceconnected to a drain of the first switching element and a drainconnected to a ground Vss terminal; a fourth switching element having asource connected to a power source Vdd terminal, a gate connected to afirst clock signal, and a drain connected to a gate of the thirdswitching element; a fifth switching element having a source connectedto the drain of the fourth switching element, a gate connected to thesource of the first switching element, and a drain connected to the Vssterminal; a sixth switching element having a source connected to asecond clock signal, a gate connected to the drain of the firstswitching element, and a drain connected to an output terminal; aseventh switching element having a source connected to the outputterminal, a gate connected to the drain of the fourth switching element,and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; a plurality of eighth p-MOStransistors switching the start pulse VST applied to the gate and thesource of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 in the first block, andswitching an output signal applied to the gate and the source of thefirst p-MOS transistor TFT1 in a next block, through an external forwardcontrol signal; and a plurality of ninth p-MOS transistors TFT9switching the start pulse VST applied to the gate and the source of thefirst p-MOS transistor TFT1 in the last block, and switching an outputsignal applied to the gate and the source of the first p-MOS transistorTFT1 in a previous block, through an external backward control signal.

Each block possibly further includes a first capacitor connected betweena contact node arranged between the first and third switching elementsand a ground terminal Vss; a second capacitor connected between the gateof the sixth switching element and the ground terminal; a thirdcapacitor connected between the gate of the sixth switching element andits drain; and a fourth capacitor connected between the gate of theseventh switching element and the ground terminal Vss.

The blocks possibly include first to eighth blocks, wherein the firstclock signal is applied to the source of the sixth switching element inthe first and fifth blocks; the second clock signal in the second andsixth blocks; a third clock signal in the third and seventh blocks; anda fourth clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks. The third clocksignal is applied to the gate of the fourth switching element in thefirst and fifth blocks; the fourth clock signal in the second and sixthblocks; the first clock signal in the third and seventh blocks; and thesecond clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks.

Each block possibly further includes a second switching elementconnected between the first and third switching elements, for beingswitched by another clock signal.

The fourth clock signal possibly is applied to the gate of the secondswitching element in the first and fifth blocks; the first clock signalin the second and sixth blocks; the second clock signal in the third andseventh blocks; and the third clock signal in the fourth and eighthblocks.

An output signal of a previous block possibly is applied to the gate andthe source of the first switching element as a start pulse signalthrough the eighth switching element in the blocks except for the firstblock, and an output signal of a next block is applied to the gate andthe source of the first switching element as a start pulse signalthrough the ninth switching element in the blocks except for the lastblock.

The respective switching elements are possibly p-MOS transistors.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a related art liquid crystal display(LCD) panel;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a shift register of a related art LCDpanel;

FIG. 3 illustrates input and output waveforms of the shift register ofthe related art LCD panel;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a shift register of an LCD panelaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates forward input and output waveforms of the shiftregister of the LCD panel according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates backward input and output waveforms of the shiftregister of the LCD panel according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a shift register of an LCD panelaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of a shift register of an LCD panelaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a shift register of an LCD panelaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the illustrated embodiments ofthe present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

A bi-directional driving circuit, commonly called a shift register, of aliquid crystal display (LCD) panel according to the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIG. 4.

First, in the same manner as the related art, a gate pulse or data startpulse (VST), four clock signals CLK1, CLK2, CLK3, and CLK4 havingdifferent phases, a power source voltage Vdd, and a ground voltage Vssare input via an input terminal of a shift register.

A circuit structure of the shift register includes first to eighthblocks having a similar structure except for portions where clocksignals are applied.

The first block includes a first p-MOS transistor TFT1 having a sourceand a gate to which the start pulse VST is applied; a second p-MOStransistor TFT2 having a source connected to a drain of the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 and a gate to which the fourth clock signal CLK4 isapplied; a third p-MOS transistor TFT3 having a source connected to adrain of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 and a drain connected to theVss terminal; a fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 having a source connectedto the Vdd terminal, a gate connected to the third clock signal CLK3,and a drain connected to a gate of the third p-MOS transistor TFT3; afifth p-MOS transistor TFT5 having a source connected to a drain of thefourth p-MOS transistor TFT4, and a gate connected to the drain of thefirst p-MOS transistor TFT1, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal;a sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 having a source connected to the firstclock signal CLK1, a gate connected to the drain of the second p-MOStransistor TFT2, and a drain connected to the output terminal; a seventhp-MOS transistor TFT7 having a source connected to the output terminal,a gate connected to the drain of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4, and adrain connected to the Vss terminal, an eighth p-MOS transistor TFT8having a source and a gate connected to an output terminal of the nextblock and a drain connected to the drain of the first p-MOS transistorTFT1; and a ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 connected to the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 in parallel, having a gate connected to the second clocksignal.

A first capacitor C1 is connected between the drain of the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 and the Vss terminal. The gate of the sixth p-MOStransistor TFT6 is connected to the Vss terminal through a secondcapacitor C2 and the gate and drain of TFT6 are connected with eachother through a third capacitor C3. The gate of the seventh p-MOStransistor TFT7 is connected to the Vss terminal through a fourthcapacitor C4.

The first to eighth blocks are different in that different clock signalsare applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6, the gateof the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4, and the gate of the second p-MOStransistor TFT2. An output terminal of a previous block is connected tothe source and the gate of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1. For example,in block 2 Output1 from block 1 is connected to the source and the gateof first p-MOS transistor TFT1. In the last block a start pulse VST isconnected to the source and the gate of the eighth p-MOS transistorTFT8, and the eight p-MOS transistor TFT8 is connected to an outputterminal of the next block.

The clock signals in the first block to the eighth block are connectedas follows.

The clock signals applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistorTFT6 are connected as follows.

The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOStransistor TFT6 in the first and fifth blocks. The second clock signalCLK2 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The third clock signal CLK3 is applied to thesource of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in the third and seventhblocks. The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to the source of thesixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The clock signals applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistorTFT4 are connected as follows.

The third clock signal CLK3 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOStransistor TFT4 in the first and fifth blocks. The fourth clock signalCLK4 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to thegate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in the third and seventhblocks. The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to the gate of thefourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The clock signals applied to the gate of the second p-MOS transistorTFT2 are connected as follows.

The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to the gate of the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 in the first and fifth blocks. The first clock signalCLK1 is applied to the gate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to thegate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 in the third and seventhblocks. The third clock signal CLK3 is applied to the gate of the secondp-MOS transistor TFT2 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The clock signals applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9are connected as follows.

The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOStransistor TFT9 in the first and fifth blocks. The third clock signalCLK3 is applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to thegate of the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 in the third and seventh blocks.The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOStransistor TFT9 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The operation of the aforementioned bi-directional shift register of theLCD panel according to the first embodiment of the present inventionwill be described with reference to FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates forward input and output waveforms of the shiftregister of the LCD panel according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention. In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates backward input andoutput waveforms of the shift register of the LCD panel according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

First, in case of the forward driving, as shown in FIG. 5, the firstclock signal CLK1, the second clock signal CLK2, the third clock signalCLK3 and the fourth clock signal CLK4 are sequentially input andrepeated. In the same manner as the related art, when the start pulse isinput the fourth clock signal is input.

In case of the backward driving, as shown in FIG. 6, the fourth clocksignal CLK4, the third clock signal CLK3, the second clock signal CLK2and the first clock signal CLK1 are sequentially input and repeated.When the start pulse is input, the first clock signal is input.

The forward operation of the first block will be described.

The first p-MOS transistor TFT1 is turned on when a low level startpulse VST is input in a switch-on state. At this time, since the fourthclock signal CLK4 is input in the switch on state, the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 is turned on. Accordingly, the node Q becomes low levelin a switch on state. This turns on the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6. Asa result, the first clock signal CLK1 is output to the output terminal.In addition, during this sequence node QB is in a switch off state (highlevel). As a result, the seventh p-MOS transistor TFT7 is turned off andthe Vss voltage is not applied to the output terminal.

Likewise, in the second block, because the output of the first block islow and the first clock signal is low, the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6is turned on. Accordingly, the second clock signal CLK2 applied to thesource of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is output.

As shown in FIG. 5, the outputs are sequentially generated from thefirst block to the eighth block.

The backward operation of the first block will is described below.

For example, a low level start pulse VST is input in a switch-on state,and a low level first clock signal is input in a switch-on state. As aresult of these inputs to the first block, the first p-MOS transistorTFT1 is turned on while the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 is not turnedon and, the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is not turned on, therebyfailing to output the first clock signal. However, in the eighth block,since the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 and the ninth p-MOS transistorTFT9 are turned on at the same time, the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 isturned on, thereby outputting the fourth clock signal.

As described above, the output signal of the eighth block is firstoutput. The signal output from the eighth block is applied to the eighthp-MOS transistor TFT8 of the seventh block. At this time, since thefourth clock signal CLK4 becomes low level in a switch-on state, theeighth and ninth p-MOS transistors TFT8 and TFT9 are turned on in theseventh block and the sixth p-MOS transistor is also turned on, therebyoutputting the third clock signal. The start pulse is synchronized withthe first clock signal, and the fourth to first clock signals aresequentially generated. Then, the signals are backward output in theorder of the eighth block to the first block.

Since forward and backward scanning can be implemented without aseparate signal or PIN, a panel suitable for system options can beprovided. Namely, such a panel is applicable to both a landscape typedisplay and a portrait type display orientations.

Meanwhile, a bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates the bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panelaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention is similar to thebi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to the firstembodiment. However, in the second embodiment of the present invention,unlike the first embodiment, the gate of the fifth p-MOS transistor TFT5is connected to the drain terminals of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2and the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9. The operation of the bi-directionaldriving circuit of the LCD panel according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention is the same as that according to the firstembodiment. Accordingly, its description will be omitted.

Also, a bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to athird embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 illustrates the bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panelaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to thethird embodiment of the present invention includes the same elements asthose of the bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel accordingto the first embodiment. The bi-directional driving circuit of the LCDpanel according to the third embodiment further includes a tenth p-MOStransistor TFT10. TFT10 can be switched depending on the gate voltage ofthe second p-MOS transistor TFT2 between the first p-MOS transistor TFT1and the second p-MOS transistor TFT2. An eleventh p-MOS transistor TFT11can be switched depending on the gate voltage of the ninth p-MOStransistor TFT9 between the eighth p-MOS transistor TFT8 and the secondp-MOS transistor TFT2.

In other words, the first block of the bi-directional driving circuit ofthe LCD panel according to the third embodiment of the present inventionincludes a first p-MOS transistor TFT1 having a source and a gate towhich the start pulse VST is applied. The second p-MOS transistor TFT2has a gate to which the fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied. The thirdp-MOS transistor TFT3 has a source connected to a drain of the secondp-MOS transistor TFT2 and a drain connected to the Vss terminal. Thefourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 has a source connected to the Vdd terminal,a gate connected to the third clock signal CLK3, and a drain connectedto a gate of the third p-MOS transistor TFT3. The fifth p-MOS transistorTFT5 has a source connected to the drain of the fourth p-MOS transistorTFT4, and a gate connected to the drain of the first p-MOS transistorTFT1, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal. The sixth p-MOStransistor TFT6 has a source connected to the first clock signal CLK1, agate connected to the drain of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2, and adrain connected to the output terminal. The seventh p-MOS transistorTFT7 has a source connected to the output terminal, a gate connected tothe drain of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4, and a drain connected tothe Vss terminal. The eighth p-MOS transistor TFT8 has a source and agate connected to an output terminal of the next block (second block).The ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 is connected to the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 in parallel, having a gate connected to the second clocksignal. The tenth p-MOS transistor TFT10 has a source connected to thedrain of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 and a gate and a drainrespectively connected to the source and the gate of the second p-MOStransistor TFT2. The eleventh p-MOS transistor TFT11 has a sourceconnected to the drain of the eighth p-MOS transistor TFT8, a drainconnected to the source of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 and the gateof the fifth p-MOS transistor TFT5, and a gate connected to the gate ofthe ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9.

Contact nodes between the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 and the tenthp-MOS transistor TFT10 and between the tenth p-MOS transistor and thesecond p-MOS transistor TFT2 are grounded through the first and secondcapacitors C1 and C2. A contact node between the eighth and eleventhp-MOS transistors are grounded through the third capacitor C3. The gateof the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is connected to the Vss terminalthrough the fourth capacitor C4, and the gate and drain are connectedwith each other through the fifth capacitor C5. The gate of the seventhp-MOS transistor TFT7 is connected to the Vss terminal through the sixthcapacitor C6.

The clock signals from the first block to the eighth block are connectedin the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention.

In other words, the first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the source ofthe sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in the first and fifth blocks. Thesecond clock signal CLK2 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOStransistor TFT6 in the second and sixth blocks. The third clock signalCLK3 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in thethird and seventh blocks. The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to thesource of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in the fourth and eighthblocks.

The third clock signal CLK3 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOStransistor TFT4 in the first and fifth blocks. The fourth clock signalCLK4 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to thegate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in the third and seventhblocks. The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to the gate of thefourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to the gate of the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 in the first and fifth blocks. The first clock signalCLK1 is applied to the gate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to thegate of the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 in the third and seventhblocks. The third clock signal CLK3 is applied to the gate of the secondp-MOS transistor TFT2 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOStransistor TFT9 in the first and fifth blocks. The third clock signalCLK3 is applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to thegate of the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 in the third and seventh blocks.The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the gate of the ninth p-MOStransistor TFT9 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

A bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 illustrates the bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panelaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention, the start pulse is switchedso as to be applied to the first p-MOS transistor of the first block orthe last block. The output signal of each block is switched so as to beapplied to the first p-MOS transistor of a previous block of each blockor its next block. Thus, forward scanning and backward scanning can becontrolled. The clock signal input to the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 isoutput without using the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 when the startpulse is switched on.

The bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention includes the same elements asthose of the related art driving circuit of the LCD panel shown in FIG.2, except that the second p-MOS transistor TFT2 between the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 and the third p-MOS transistor TFT3 is omitted. Thebi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel according to the fourthembodiment further includes a plurality of eighth p-MOS transistors TFT8for switching the start pulse VST applied to the gate and the source ofthe first p-MOS transistor TFT1 in the first block and for switching theoutput signal applied to the gate and the source of the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 in the next block through an external forward controlsignal and a plurality of ninth p-MOS transistors TFT9 for switching thestart pulse VST applied to the gate and the source of the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 in the last block and for switching the output signalapplied to the gate and the source of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 inthe previous block through an external backward control signal.

In other words, the first block of the bi-directional driving circuit ofthe LCD panel according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention includes a first p-MOS transistor TFT1 having a source and agate to which the start pulse VST is applied. The third p-MOS transistorTFT3 has a source connected to a drain of the first p-MOS transistorTFT1 and a drain connected to the Vss terminal. The fourth p-MOStransistor TFT4 has a source connected to the Vdd terminal, a gateconnected to the third clock signal CLK3, and a drain connected to agate of the third p-MOS transistor TFT3. The fifth p-MOS transistor TFT5has a source connected to the drain of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4,and a gate connected to the source of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1,and a drain connected to the Vss terminal. The sixth p-MOS transistorTFT6 has a source connected to the first clock signal CLK1, a gateconnected to the drain of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1, and a drainconnected to the output terminal. The seventh p-MOS transistor TFT7 hasa source connected to the output terminal, a gate connected to the drainof the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4, and a drain connected to the Vssterminal. The bi-directional driving circuit of the forth embodimentalso includes a plurality of eighth p-MOS transistors TFT8 for switchingthe start pulse VST applied to the gate and the source of the firstp-MOS transistor TFT1 in the first block and for switching the outputsignal applied to the gate and the source of the first p-MOS transistorTFT1 in the next block through an external forward control signal, and aplurality of ninth p-MOS transistors TFT9 for switching the start pulseVST applied to the gate and the source of the first p-MOS transistorTFT1 in the last block for switching the output signal applied to thegate and the source of the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 in the previousblock through an external backward control signal.

A contact node between the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 and the thirdp-MOS transistor TFT3 is grounded through the first capacitor C1. Thegate of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is connected to the Vss terminalthrough the second capacitor C2, and its gate and drain are connectedwith each other through the third capacitor C3. The gate of the seventhp-MOS transistor TFT7 is connected to the Vss terminal through thefourth capacitor C4.

The clock signals from the first block to the eighth block are connectedin the same manner as the first embodiment of the present invention.

In other words, the first clock signal CLK1 is applied to the source ofthe sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in the first and fifth blocks. Thesecond clock signal CLK2 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOStransistor TFT6 in the second and sixth blocks. The third clock signalCLK3 is applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in thethird and seventh blocks. The fourth clock signal CLK4 is applied to thesource of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 in the fourth and eighthblocks.

The third clock signal CLK3 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOStransistor TFT4 in the first and fifth blocks. The fourth clock signalCLK4 is applied to the gate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in thesecond and sixth blocks. The first clock signal CLK1 is applied to thegate of the fourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in the third and seventhblocks. The second clock signal CLK2 is applied to the gate of thefourth p-MOS transistor TFT4 in the fourth and eighth blocks.

The operation of the aforementioned bi-directional driving circuit ofthe LCD panel according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below.

When the forward control signal is input in a switch-on state (lowlevel) and a backward control signal is input in a switch-off state(high level), the eighth p-MOS transistor TFT8 is turned on and theninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 is turned off. Accordingly, since the startpulse VST is input to the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 of the first blockand the output signal of each block is input to the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 of the next block, the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 ofthe first block is turned on and the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is alsoturned on. As a result, the first clock signal CLK1 applied to thesource of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is output to the outputterminal and the signal output from the first output terminal is inputto the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 of the second block. By the aboveoperation, the shift register is forward operated from the first blockto the last block.

On the contrary, if the forward control signal is input in a switch-offstate (high level) and the backward control signal is input in aswitch-on state (low level), the eighth p-MOS transistor TFT8 is turnedoff and the ninth p-MOS transistor TFT9 is turned on. Since the startpulse VST is input to the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 of the last blockand the output signal of each block is input to the first p-MOStransistor TFT1 of the previous block, the first p-MOS transistor TFT1of the last block is turned on and the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 ofthe last block is also turned on. As a result, the fourth clock signalCLK4 applied to the source of the sixth p-MOS transistor TFT6 is outputto the output terminal and the signal output from the output terminal ofthe last block is input to the first p-MOS transistor TFT1 of theprevious block. By the above operation, the shift register is backwardoperated from the last block to the first block.

As another embodiment, in the driving circuit of the LCD panel accordingto the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the second p-MOStransistor TFT2 may be provided in the same manner as the related artLCD panel of FIG. 2. In this case, the above operation can beimplemented as well.

As described above, the bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panelaccording to the present invention has the following advantages.

A separate switching element is provided so that the start signal isinput to the first block or the last block. Also, the phase of the clocksignal is changed so that the shift register is bi-directionallyoperated. Thus, the LCD panel can be driven bi-directionally. In thiscase, system makers can drive the LCD panel having the driving circuitby changing arrangement of the panel to adapt to their design option.

Furthermore, the LCD panel can be driven bi-directionally without aseparate input pin.

The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention. The present teachings canbe readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of thepresent invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit thescope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. (canceled)
 2. A bi-directional driving circuit of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) panel having a plurality of blocks, each block outputtinga signal, the bi-directional driving circuit comprising: a firstswitching portion for switching a start pulse signal applied to an inputterminal of a first block among the blocks and for switching an outputsignal of a previous block, which is to be applied to input terminals ofthe other blocks; and a second switching portion for switching a startpulse signal applied to an input terminal of the last block and forswitching an output signal of a previous block, which is to be appliedto input terminals of the other blocks. 3-6. (canceled)
 7. Abi-directional driving circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panelhaving a plurality of blocks, each block comprising: a first switchingelement having a source and a gate for receiving a start pulse; a secondswitching element having a source connected to a drain of the firstswitching element and a gate for receiving a first clock signal isapplied; a third switching element having a source connected to a drainof the second switching element and a drain connected to a groundterminal Vss; a fourth switching element having a source connected to apower source voltage terminal Vdd, a gate connected to a second clocksignal, and a drain connected to a gate of the third switching element;a fifth switching element having a source connected to the drain of thefourth switching element, a gate connected to the drain of the firstswitching element, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; a sixthswitching element having a source connected to the second clock signal,a gate connected to the drain of the second switching element, and adrain connected to an output terminal; a seventh switching elementhaving a source connected to the output terminal, a gate connected tothe drain of the fourth switching element, and a drain connected to theVss terminal; an eighth switching element having a source and a gateconnected to an output terminal of a next block and a drain connected tothe drain of the first switching element; and a ninth switching elementconnected to the second switching element in parallel, having a gateconnected to the second clock signal, wherein the gate of the fifthswitching element is connected to the drain terminal of one of thesecond switching element and the ninth switching element.
 8. Abi-directional driving circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panelhaving a plurality of blocks, each block comprising: a first switchingelement having a source and a gate for receiving a start pulse; a secondswitching element having a source connected to a drain of the firstswitching element and a gate for receiving a first clock signal isapplied; a third switching element having a source connected to a drainof the second switching element and a drain connected to a groundterminal Vss; a fourth switching element having a source connected to apower source voltage terminal Vdd, a gate connected to a second clocksignal, and a drain connected to a gate of the third switching element;a fifth switching element having a source connected to the drain of thefourth switching element, a gate connected to the drain of the firstswitching element, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; a sixthswitching element having a source connected to the second clock signal,a gate connected to the drain of the second switching element, and adrain connected to an output terminal; a seventh switching elementhaving a source connected to the output terminal, a gate connected tothe drain of the fourth switching element, and a drain connected to theVss terminal; an eighth switching element having a source and a gateconnected to an output terminal of a next block and a drain connected tothe drain of the first switching element; and a ninth switching elementconnected to the second switching element in parallel, having a gateconnected to the second clock signal, wherein each block furtherincludes: a tenth switching element connected between the firstswitching element and the second switching element, for being switcheddepending on a gate voltage of the second switching element; and aneleventh switching element connected between the eighth switchingelement and the second switching element, for being switched dependingon a gate voltage of the ninth switching element.
 9. The bi-directionaldriving circuit of the LCD panel of claim 8, wherein each block furtherincludes: first and second capacitors respectively connected betweencontact nodes and the ground terminal, the contact nodes being arrangedbetween the first and tenth switching elements and between the tenth andsecond switching elements; a third capacitor connected between a contactnode arranged between the eight and eleventh switching elements and theground terminal; a fourth capacitor connected between the gate of thesixth switching element and the Vss terminal; a fifth capacitorconnected between the gate and the drain of the sixth switching element;and a sixth capacitor connected between the gate of the seventhswitching element and the Vss terminal.
 10. (canceled)
 11. Abi-directional driving circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panelhaving a plurality of blocks, each block comprising: a first switchingelement having a source and a gate to which a start pulse is applied; athird switching element having a source connected to a drain of thefirst switching element and a drain connected to a ground Vss terminal;a fourth switching element having a source connected to a power sourceVdd terminal, a gate connected to a first clock signal, and a drainconnected to a gate of the third switching element; a fifth switchingelement having a source connected to the drain of the fourth switchingelement, a gate connected to the source of the first switching element,and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; a sixth switching elementhaving a source connected to a second clock signal, a gate connected tothe drain of the first switching element, and a drain connected to anoutput terminal; a seventh switching element having a source connectedto the output terminal, a gate connected to the drain of the fourthswitching element, and a drain connected to the Vss terminal; eighthswitching elements for switching the start pulse VST applied to the gateand the source of the first switching element in a first block and forswitching an output signal applied to the gate and the source of thefirst switching element in a next block, through an external forwardcontrol signal; and a ninth switching elements for switching the startpulse VST applied to the gate and the source of the first switchingelement in the last block and for switching an output signal applied tothe gate and the source of the first switching element in a previousblock, through an external backward control signal.
 12. Thebi-directional driving circuit of an LCD panel of claim 11, wherein eachblock further includes: a first capacitor connected between a contactnode arranged between the first and third switching elements and aground terminal Vss; a second capacitor connected between the gate ofthe sixth switching element and the ground terminal; a third capacitorconnected between the gate of the sixth switching element and its drain;and a fourth capacitor connected between the gate of the seventhswitching element and he ground terminal Vss.
 13. The bi-directionaldriving circuit of an LCD panel of claim 11, wherein the blocks includefirst to eighth blocks, the first clock signal being applied to thesource of the sixth switching element in the first and fifth blocks, thesecond clock signal in the second and sixth blocks, a third clock signalin the third and seventh blocks, and a fourth clock signal in the fourthand eighth blocks; and the third clock signal being applied to the gateof the fourth switching element in the first and fifth blocks, thefourth clock signal in the second and sixth blocks, the first clocksignal in the third and seventh blocks, and the second clock signal inthe fourth and eighth blocks.
 14. The bi-directional driving circuit ofan LCD panel of claim 11, wherein each block further includes a secondswitching element connected between the first and third switchingelements for being switched by another clock signal.
 15. Thebi-directional driving circuit of an LCD panel of claim 14, the fourthclock signal being applied to the gate of the second switching elementin the first and fifth blocks, the first clock signal in the second andsixth blocks, the second clock signal in the third and seventh blocks,and the third clock signal in the fourth and eighth blocks.
 16. Thebi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel of claim 11, wherein anoutput signal of a previous block is applied to the gate and the sourceof the first switching element as a start pulse signal through theeighth switching element in the other blocks except for the first block,and an output signal of a next block is applied to the gate and thesource of the first switching element as a start pulse signal throughthe ninth switching element in other blocks except for the last block.17. The bi-directional driving circuit of the LCD panel of claim 11,wherein the respective switching elements are p-MOS transistors.